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Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou expressed his conviction on
Thursday evening that Greece is on the path for achieving its goals,
acquiring gradually its credibility internationally.

Speaking to reporters at the end of a European Union Summit in
Brussels, Papandreou nevertheless underlined his goevrnment's
determination to go ahead with "important and difficult reforms that
must be made in the political system, the public administration and the
welfare system" of the country.

According to Papandreou, the European Commission and European Central
Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet expressed the view during the summit
that Greece is on the right path. In the prime minister's view, the
issue of the Greek crisis highlighted in the EU the need for economic
governance and coordinated economic policy by the 27 member-states so
that similar crises are averted in the future.

Papandreou further said that the so-called "Attack Group" is working in
this direction, under the chairmanship of EU President Hermann Van
Rompuy, and will present specific proposals on improving the EU's
economic governance in the coming months.

As regards the EU's proposals on regulating fiscal markets, in light of
the G-20 summit in Toronto, the prime minister said the EU is committed
to taking decisions, even if it is ascertained that there is a lack of
political will, at international level. Referring in particular to the
discussion on regulating the derivatives and risk insurance market,
Papandreou underlined the proposal on taxing banks and transactions in
international fiscal markets.

The prime minister further pointed out that the 27 leaders discussed
the issue of necessary monetary adjustment, stressing that apart from
the need to decrease monetary deficits and state debts, the discussions
focused on the need to regain growth rates and strengthen the
competitiveness of the European economy. In this framework, he
continued, the new strategy on "Europe 2020", adopted on Thursday by
the "27" aims at boosting employment, supporting research and
innovation, as well as social cohesion.

Papandreou also said that the necessary funds are needed to achieve
these goals and for this reason Greece backed the proposal on the
taxing of monetary transactions, the taxing of carbon dioxode and the
issuing of eurobonds.

Regarding Greece, Papandreou stressed that in parallel with expenditure
cutbacks, a suitable environment must be created to attract investments
that will not only utilise EU programmes but will promote systematic
cooperation with third countries that are interested in investing in
the country.

Referring in particular to labour issues, Papandreou pointed out that
the government's aim is the promotion of measures that will facilitate
young people joining the labour market, subsidising a percentage of
salaries and social security contributions. He also noted that in
negotiating with the "Troika" the government waged a struggle so that
the 13th and 14th salary will not be harmed, adding that "at least in
the public sector permanence exists, while in the private sector, which
is more sensitive, we wanted the protection of income to be secured."

Greece achieved its first win in a final stage of the World Cup,
beating Nigeria 2-1 in a Group B game played in Bloemfontein on
Thursday and has hopes of qualifying for the next stage of the
competition, since it is in second place with South Korea.

Kalu Uche put Nigeria ahead in the 16', but Greece turned the game with
goals by Dimitris Salpingidis 44' and Vassilis Torosidis 71'. Nigeria
was left with 10 men in the 33' after Sani Kaita was sent off.

Prime Minister George Papandreou congratulated from Brussels the Greek
national soccer team.